The Chrysler M Platform (or "M-Body") was an intermediate-sized

automobile platform A car platform is a shared set of common design, engineering, and production efforts, as well as major components, over a number of outwardly distinct models and even types of cars, often from different, but somewhat related, marques. It is pract ...

used by

Chrysler Stellantis North America (officially FCA US and formerly Chrysler ()) is one of the " Big Three" automobile manufacturers in the United States, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is the American subsidiary of the multinational automoti ...

motors from 1977 to 1989. It was a successor to the F-body, as used on the Dodge Aspen/ Plymouth Volare. The M-body was also the successor to the short-lived R-body, as the

Chrysler New Yorker The Chrysler New Yorker is an automobile model that was produced by Chrysler from 1940 until 1996, serving for several decades as the brand's flagship model, or as a junior sedan to the Chrysler Imperial luxury brand. A trim level named the "Ne ...

and Plymouth Gran Fury moved to it following the R-body's demise in 1981. The M platform was the final production passenger car with a solid rear axle mounted on Hotchkiss-style, parallel semi-elliptical leaf springs sold in the U.S. The M-cars were built at

St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the Greater St. Louis, ...

and Newark, Delaware with initial debut (LeBaron/Diplomat series) in spring 1977 as 1977 1/2 models, with production shifting to Windsor, Ontario through 1983, then moving to Fenton, MO. Beginning in February 1987 and ending with 1989 model year, the American Motors Main plant in Kenosha, Wisconsin was utilized for assembly. By 1983–84, it became clear that most private buyers preferred the equally roomy but cheaper and more fuel-efficient K-cars; however, the M's long-proven traditional engineering, handling, and V8 engine availability appealed to police and taxi fleets, allowing the car's continued existence until the end of the decade. In mid-1988, the Chrysler M-bodies received a driver side air bag. After the M-bodies were discontinued in mid-1989, Chrysler Corporation didn't build a rear wheel drive car outside of trucks and specialty models until LX based cars. Vehicles on this platform include: * 1977-1989 Dodge Diplomat * 1977-1981 Chrysler LeBaron * 1978-1981 Chrysler Town & Country station wagon * 1978-1979 Dodge Coronet (South America) * 1978-1982

Plymouth Caravelle The Plymouth Caravelle is a mid-size sedan that was introduced by Plymouth as a 1983 Canadian model. The Caravelle came to the United States in 1985 to replace the Chrysler E-Class. It was essentially identical to the concurrent Dodge 600. It ...

(Canada) * 1980-1981 Dodge Dart (Mexico) * 1981-1982

Dodge Magnum The Dodge Magnum is a nameplate used by several Dodge vehicles, at different times and on various markets. The name was first applied to a large Chrysler B platform-based 2-door coupe marketed from 1978 to 1979 sold in the United States and Cana ...

5.9L (Mexico) * 1982-1989 Plymouth Gran Fury * 1982

* 1983

Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue The Chrysler Fifth Avenue was a trim level/option package or model name used by Chrysler (division), Chrysler for its larger sedans from 1979 to 1993. The Fifth Avenue name was no longer used after 1993 when Chrysler introduced its new LH-platform ...

* 1983-1989

Plymouth Caravelle Salon The Plymouth Caravelle is a mid-size sedan that was introduced by Plymouth (automobile), Plymouth as a 1983 Canadian model. The Caravelle came to the United States in 1985 to replace the Chrysler E-Class. It was essentially identical to the con ...

(Canada) * 1984-1989 Chrysler Fifth Avenue *1979-1980 Monteverdi Sierra Convertible Three body styles offered: * 2-door coupe - 1977-1981 * 4-door sedan - 1977-1989 * 4-door

station wagon A station wagon ( US, also wagon) or estate car ( UK, also estate), is an automotive body-style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door ( ...

- 1978-1981 Two wheelbases used: * 108.7 in - 1980-1981 2-door * 112.7 in - 1977-1979 2-door, 1978-1981 Station Wagon and 1977-1989 4-door https://www.xr793.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/1981-Chrysler-Lebaron.pdf Engines used with this platform include: * 225 Slant 6 (1977-1983) * 318 V8 (1977-1989) * 360 V8 (1977-1979)

References

;Inline {{Reflist ;General *http://www.allpar.com **https://www.allpar.com/threads/dodge-diplomat-plymouth-gran-fury-caravelle-and-chrysler-lebaron-new-yorker-and-fifth.228725/#post-1085222823 (''By Ed Hennessy and by Frank Billington'') **http://www.allpar.com/model/rwdbodies.html (''Mopar Body Types By Ed Hennessy Date 1998'') **https://gazeo.com/automotive/vehicles/Chrysler-M-body-LPG-blast-from-the-past,article,6712.html (''Chrysler M-body LPG - Blast from the Past By Robert Markowski Date 2-13-2013 '') **http://www.angelfire.com/ca/mikesspot/history.html **http://www.policecarwebsite.net/policepackage/mbody.html **http://blog.consumerguide.com/goodbye-gran-fifthlomat-the-chrysler-m-body-cars-of-1989/ (''Goodbye Gran Fifthlomat: The Chrysler M-Body Cars of 1989 By Tom Appel Date 4-29-2014'') M

See also

References